If it does not arrive in time, or if you forget to apply early enough, you can still vote with a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). This is a backup, in case your ballot does not arrive in time. When you downloaded your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), the FWAB was probably included in the same file. If not, return to the source of your original Absentee Ballot application (Find FPCA sources here) and download or print out an FWAB to have on hand if you need it.
If your Absentee Ballot ballot fails to arrive, fill out the FWAB, which is a write-in ballot for the Federal Election only, and send it to the same voting authorities to whom you sent your original application. If your Absentee Ballot subsequently arrives, fill that out and send it in too. Your local voting authorities will know to count only one.
If you forgot to post your FPCA don't worry. You can still vote in the US Presidential election. Download and print out an FPCA and an FWAB from one of the sources on the previous page and send them both in to your voting authorities together. You must file an FPCA to use an FWAB but you can send them both in at the same time. Remember, though, the FWAB is only a write in ballot for Federal elections, not state or local elections.
Next: Find out if you are eligible to vote by Absentee Ballot in a US Election
